Plain Golden Y - Autographa jota

Description

Wingspan 35-40 mm. Similar in appearance to the Beautiful Golden Y this moth has a plainer, more brick-red appearance, with fewer less-distinct metallic markings.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

The species inhabits gardens, waste ground, and woodland areas.

When to see it

This species is on the wing from June to August.

Life History

The larvae feed on a range of plants including Nettles.

UK Status

Fairly common and widespread over most of Britain but more scarce in Scotland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)

Reference
73.017 BF2443

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Plain Golden Y
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Records on NatureSpot:
219
First record:
01/01/1998 (Adrian Russell)
Last record:
12/07/2025 (Primrose, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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